Hema Malini reportedly assured Dharmendra she wouldn’t interfere with his first family.
IMAGE: Dharmendra and Meena Kumari in Baharon Ki Manzil.
Dharmendra’s simplicity was considered his greatest charm, as detailed by Dr. Rajiv Vijaykar in the biography Dharmendra: A Biography: Not Just a He-Man.
“Dharmendra was not only a brilliant actor but also an exceptional human being,” Dr. Vijaykar tells Patcy N/Rediff.
IMAGE: Dharmendra and Nutan in Bandini.
Early Career Highlights
Dharmendra first gained attention with Shola Aur Shabnam, which included his first topless scene, although it wasn’t the reason for the film’s success. Bandini, directed by Bimal Roy, further showcased his talents, despite being in a smaller role compared to Ashok Kumar and Nutan.
His standout performances later included Phool Aur Patthar, Anupama, Jeevan Mrityu, Seeta Aur Geeta, and others. Mera Gaon Mera Desh had similarities with Sholay, as Dharmendra himself noted. He also excelled in Pratigya and Chupke Chupke. Despite moderate success, his dual role in Ghazab is underrated. In Apne, he delivered award-worthy performances that went unrecognized.
Association with Meena Kumari
Research revealed that Meena Kumari saw Dharmendra as an emotional support during their collaborations. Together, they worked on several films, but only Phool Aur Patthar was successful. Other films like Baharon Ki Manzil and Majhli Didi didn’t fare well at the box office.
IMAGE: Dharmendra and Asha Parekh in Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke.
Collaboration with Jeetendra
Dharmendra and Jeetendra appeared in over 12 films during the era of multi-starrers, though most were not successful. Despite their frequent collaborations, they were not as celebrated a pair as Dharmendra with Amitabh Bachchan or Shatrughan Sinha.
Working with Asha Parekh
Asha Parekh once requested Dharmendra not to drink on set, and he respected her immensely. Their pairing resulted in several hits such as Aaye Din Bahar Ke and Shikar. Asha noted that Dharmendra’s simplicity remained unchanged over time.
IMAGE: Hema Malini and Dharmendra in Tum Haseen Mein Jawan.
Relationship with Hema Malini
Dharmendra and Hema Malini’s marriage was kept private. Journalist Bharti Pradhan discovered it by chance. Hema assured Dharmendra that she would not interfere with his first family, maintaining dignity in their relationship. During Hema’s 2015 accident, Sunny Deol visited her, indicating improved family relations.
Their professional relationship blossomed during Sholay. Dharmendra’s fondness for Hema was evident as he sought extra time with her during shoots. Despite emotional challenges, their relationship remained strong.
Legacy of Dharmendra
Dharmendra’s passing is a significant loss to the film industry. Known for his natural acting style, he adapted effortlessly to diverse roles. His legacy extends beyond acting, as he was admired for his humanity and kindness.
Photographs curated by Satish Bodas/Rediff
